NO FAKE EGGS ON THE MARKET - VETERINARY DEPT

PUTRAJAYA, April 11 (Bernama) -- The Veterinary Services Department Monday
confirmed that fake eggs are not being sold on the market based on samples
tested to date.

Its director-general Dr Abdul Aziz Jamaluddin said the samples were
taken from markets nationwide, including the one in Pulau Tikus, Penang, where
media reports last week suggested that such eggs had been sold.

"Initial results showed that the samples were genuine eggs. We urge
consumers or consumer associations who are in possession of what they claim to
be fake eggs to surrender them to the department. Those who provide relevant
information will be rewarded," he told reporters here.

A buyer had complained to the Consumers Association of Penang of 30 fake
eggs bought for RM11 from the market in Pulau Tikus.

Alluding to this matter, Dr Abdul Aziz said the eggs may have been spoilt or
of low quality that should not have been sold to the public.

Dr Abdul Aziz also ruled out the possibility that the fake items were
produced elsewhere and imported into Malaysia, as the country prohibited the
importation of eggs, except for breeding purposes.

In another development, he said all egg producers in the country would soon
be required to register with the department and issued with certificates to
ensure that they fulfilled certain standards.

Under the system, eggs will have labels indicating its producers, grades and
manufacture dates.

"The system has been implemented in the larger farms where eggs are being
produced for the export market. Now, we want smaller egg production farms to
adopt the system," he said.

Abdul Aziz said a meeting with the Federation of Livestock Farmers'
Associations of Malaysia would be held to discuss the matter.

Records show that there are 390 egg production farms in this country with
37.82 million chickens, capable of producing 23.46 million eggs daily.